What role should an introduction play in a report?

Most introductions should include a hook and thesis statement. You should definitely include your point of why you're writing about the certain topic. If you're writing an opinion report, you should also include your reasons that you're going to explain. Everyone probably has a different view of how a report should be written, but I think these are the roles an introduction plays in a report.

(This could probably even be an introduction paragraph!!)

I hope this helped; have a great day :3

An introduction is the first paragraph in a report. It should catch the readers' attention and let him or her know what the report is going to be about.  

what are the excerpts?

do you have a copy of the poem?